SYNTHESIS OF Pb ALLOY AND CORE/SHELL NANOWIRES

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to methods of producing nanowires comprising a PbSe core and a PbS shell, and methods of producing nanowires comprising a PbSe core and a PbTe shell. The method for producing the PbSe core/PbS shell nanowires comprise the steps of providing a core/shell growth solution comprising PbSe nanowires, heating the core/shell growth solution to a temperature sufficient to produce a PbS shell over the PbSe nanowires, adding a Pb precursor solution to the core/shell growth solution, and adding an S precursor solution to the core/shell growth solution after the addition of the Pb precursor to produce nanowires comprising a PbSe core and a PbS shell.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a divisional application of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 11/937,225 filed Nov. 8, 2007, which is incorporated byreference herein in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the present invention are generally related to thesynthesis of nanoalloys and core/shell nanowires, and are specificallyrelated to methods of making PbSe_(x)Y_(1-x) nanoalloys and PbSe/PbYcore/shell (Y═S, Te) nanowires.

BACKGROUND

Nanostructures (e.g., semiconductor nanostructures) provide uniqueoptical, physical and electrical properties, which makes them the mainbuilding blocks in various devices such as electronic, photonic,thermoelectric and sensor based devices. Due to the numerous benefitsprovided, continual efforts are being made develop new structures (e.g.,semiconductor nanostructures) with nanoscale dimensions; however,controlling the dimensions and the shape of the nanostructures remains achallenge. When controlled, the nanostructures may improve the opticaland physical properties of semiconductors by changing the band gap inthe strong confinement region, where one of the dimensions is smallerthan the corresponding excitonic Bohr diameter.

Semiconductor nanowires in the form of alloys or core/shell systems maybe utilized as materials for semiconductors and be operable to yieldvarious band gap energies. Also, Pb-chalcogenide materials have beenidentified as effective nanostructures. For example, Pb-chalcogenidematerials are often utilized in thermoelectric devices because of theirlow heat conductivity.

Accordingly, improved nanoalloys, as well as improved methods of makingthese nanoalloys are desirable for use in semiconductor nanostructures.

SUMMARY

According to one embodiment, a method for producing nanowires comprisinga PbSe core and a PbS shell is provided. The method comprises providinga core/shell growth solution comprising PbSe nanowires, heating thecore/shell growth solution to a temperature sufficient to produce a PbSshell over the PbSe nanowires, adding a Pb precursor solution to thecore/shell growth solution; and adding an S precursor solution to thecore/shell growth solution after the addition of the Pb precursor toproduce nanowires comprising a PbSe core and a PbS shell.

According to yet another embodiment, a method for producing nanowirescomprising a PbSe core and a PbTe shell is provided. The methodcomprises the steps of providing a Pb precursor solution, adding a Teprecursor solution to the Pb precursor solution to produce a PbTesolution, providing a core/shell growth solution heated to a temperatureof about 150° C., wherein the core/shell growth solution comprises PbSenanowires, and adding the PbTe solution to the core/shell growthsolution to form nanowires comprising a PbSe core and a PbTe shell.

These and additional features provided by the embodiments of the presentinvention will be more fully understood in view of the followingdetailed description, in conjunction with the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following detailed description of specific embodiments of thepresent invention can be best understood when read in conjunction withthe drawings enclosed herewith.

FIG. 1A is a Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) micrographillustrating a PbSe core nanowire prior to the formation of a ternaryPbSe_(0.4)S_(0.6) alloy shown in FIG. 1B, according to one or moreembodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 1B is a TEM micrograph illustrating a PbSe_(0.4)S_(0.6) alloy,according to one or more embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 2A is a TEM micrograph illustrating a PbSe core nanowire prior tothe coating of a PbS shell as shown in FIG. 2B, according to one or moreembodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 2B is a TEM micrograph illustrating a PbSe core with a PbS shellthereon, according to one or more embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HRTEM)micrograph illustrating a PbSe core with a PbTe shell, according to oneor more embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a powder X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) pattern of a portion of thePbSe_(0.4)S_(0.6) alloy of FIG. 1B, according to one or more embodimentsof the present invention;

FIG. 5 is an Electron Energy Loss Spectroscopy (EELS) spectrum of aportion of the PbSe_(0.4)S_(0.6) alloy of FIG. 1B, according to one ormore embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a powder (XRD) pattern of the PbSe/PbS core/shell of FIG. 2B,according to one or more embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating the method of producing PbSenanowires;

FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating the method of producingPbSe_(x)Y_(1-x) (Y═Te or S) alloys, according to one or more embodimentsof the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart illustrating the method of producing PbSe/PbScore/shell alloys, according to one or more embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart illustrating the method of producing PbSe/PbTecore/shell alloys, according to one or more embodiments of the presentinvention.

The embodiments set forth in the drawings are illustrative in nature andnot intended to be limiting of the invention defined by the claims.Moreover, individual features of the invention will be more fullyapparent and understood in view of the detailed description.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present invention are directed to methods of makingPbSe_(x)Y_(1-x) alloy nanowire and PbSe/PbY core/shell nanowires, whereY═S or Te. As used herein, an “alloy” is a structure comprising amixture of one or more metal elements. As used herein, a “core/shell” isa structure comprising a “core” metal based material and at least oneseparate coating layer (“the shell”) thereon, wherein the shell maycomprise the same or a different composition than the core composition.As will be shown below, the processing steps can dictate whether theproduct is in the form of an alloy nanowire or in the form of acore/shell nanowire.

Referring generally to the flow charts of FIGS. 7 and 8, the methods forproducing PbSe_(x)Y_(1-x) alloys can include the initial steps ofpreparing a PbSe nanowire and a PbY solution (Y═S or Te). As shown inFIG. 8, PbSe nanowires may be produced by mixing a Pb precursor solutionwith a Se precursor solution, in conjunction with additional treatmentsteps.

Referring to FIG. 7, the PbSe nanowire synthesis may include a Pbprecursor solution comprised of 0.76 g of lead acetate trihydrate and 2mL of oleic acid dissolved in 10 mL of diphenyl ether (DPE). This Pbprecursor solution can be heated to 150° C. for at least 30 minutes inargon atmosphere to form a lead oleate complex. Then, the solution canbe then dried. After about 30-40 min, the solution can be cooled to 60°C., and mixed with a selenium (Se) solution comprising, for example, 4mL of 0.167 M TOPSe solution in tri-octyl phosphine (TOP). The Sesolution can be added slowly to prevent PbSe nucleation. The PbSesolution can then be injected under vigorous stirring into a heatedgrowth solution (e.g., 250° C.) containing 0.2 g of Tetradecylphosphonic acid (TDPA) dissolved in 15 mL of DPE. The growth solutioncan be purified by heating to 180° C. After about 50 s of heating, thereaction mixture can be cooled to room temperature using a water bath.The crude solution can then be mixed with an equal volume of hexane. Thenanowires can then be isolated by centrifugation at 6000 rpm for 5 min.The precipitated product from the centrifuge can be re-dispersed inchloroform or toluene for further characterization. FIG. 1A provides aTEM micrograph illustration of the PbSe nanowires produced by theforegoing synthesis method. The diameter of produced PbSe nanowires canvary from 4 nm up to 15 nm, with a length of up to 50 micrometers. Itshould be understood, however, that the foregoing embodiment forpreparing the PbSe nanowires is exemplary and other methods arecontemplated for producing PbSe nanowires.

To prepare the PbY solution as shown in FIG. 8, a Pb precursor solutionis mixed with a Y precursor solution. Like above, the Pb precursorsolution may comprise a lead oleate complex formed from a mixture oflead acetate trihydrate, oleic acid, and diphenyl ether (DPE). The Yprecursor solution may include S or Te in a solution comprisingtri-octyl phosphine (TOP), or suitable solvents such as Octadecene,Tributyl phospine, Triphenyl phosphine. In an experimental example, an Sprecursor solution can be prepared by dissolving 0.1 g of S in 0.5 ml ofTOP and heating the solution to 50° C. for 10 minutes before cooling toroom temperature. The Pb precursor solution can be prepared using 0.2 gof lead acetate trihydrate, 2 ml of TOP, 2 ml of DPE and 1.5 ml of oleicacid. The Pb solution can be heated to 150° C. for 30 minutes and thencooled to room temperature. At room temperature, the S precursorsolution can be added to the Pb precursor solution under stirring. Othercompositions and processing steps for the production of Pb and Yprecursor solutions are contemplated herein.

After the PbSe nanowires are prepared, the PbSe nanowires can bedelivered to an growth solution. They can act as a medium for thereaction of the PbSe nanowires and the PbY solution. The growth solutionmay comprise TOP and DPE, or other suitable materials. As mentionedbefore, the trialkyl phosphine, or trialkyl amine may be used assolvents. These solvents are compatible to the nanowire surface (via aLewis acid/base reaction mechanism) and can also dissolve thechalcogenide metals. When adding the PbSe nanowires, the growth solutionmay be maintained at ambient temperature; however, other suitabletemperatures are contemplated herein. In one experimental example, thegrowth solution may comprise 2 ml of DPE and 2 ml TOP, which is heatedat 180° C. for 20-25 minutes and then cooled to room temperature beforeadding 30 mg of PbSe nanowires.

After the PbSe nanowires are added to the growth solution, the growthsolution is heated to a temperature of at least 150° C., (e.g., the PbYsolution described above) or in one embodiment, between about 190 toabout 200° C. Subsequently, the PbY solution is added. The PbY may beadded slowly to prevent self-nucleation, or the formation of undesirablecrystal structures. In one embodiment, a PbS solution was added dropwiseat a rate of about 0.25 ml/min.

Additional treatment steps are contemplated for the formation of thePbSe_(x)Y_(1-x) alloy. For example, the growth solution can be annealedfor 10 minutes and then cooled to room temperature. The alloy productcan then be separated by adding hexane and centrifuging at 6000 rpm for5 min.

In accordance with the exemplary methods provided above, a ternaryPbSe_(x)Y_(1-x) alloy may be formed and may comprise a composition ofPbSe_(0.4)S_(0.6), such as shown in the TEM micrograph of FIG. 1B. Othersuitable compositions of PbSe_(x)Y_(1-x) are also contemplated. Theinventors have recognized that the above described processing stepsfacilitate diffusion between the PbSe core and the PbY shell, and thusproduce a ternary nanoalloy, not a core/shell nanowire. The diffusionprocess may be divided into two stages. In the first stage, addition ofthe PbY (e.g., Y═S) solution to the PbSe nanowire solution results inthe growth of the PbS as a shell. In the second stage, multiple factors(i.e. high temperature, small diameter of the PbSe core and the smalllattice mismatch between the PbSe core and PbY) facilitate diffusionbetween the core and shell to form the alloy. For example, heating thegrowth solution prior to addition of the PbS solution facilitatesgreater particle movement between the PbSe nanowire core and PbS shell.Since smaller diameter nanowires are more reactive and lessenergetically stable, minimizing the diameter of the PbSe nanowires alsoaids diffusion. In one embodiment, such as that described above, thePbSe nanowires have a diameter between about 4 and 15 nm. Furthermore,the small lattice mismatch between the PbSe core and the PbY shell(D_(PbSe)/D_(PbS)˜3% and D_(PbSe)/D_(PbTe)˜5%; where D is the latticeconstant of the crystals) facilitates further diffusion.

To demonstrate the alloys formed by methods described herein, such asthe PbSe_(0.4)S_(0.6) alloy, FIGS. 4 and 5 are provided. As illustratedin the EDX (Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy) spectrum of FIG. 4,the intensity pattern differs from both cubic PbSe and cubic PbS, and isdisposed between the peaks of the cubic PbSe and cubic PbS. This patterndemonstrates that the alloy product does not comprise distinct PbSe andPbS compositions, which would be present in core/shell configuration. Asshown in the Electron Energy Loss Spectroscopy (EELS) spectrum of FIG.5, S was identified at 165 eV. Furthermore, as the PbSe nanowires wereconverted into PbSe_(0.4)S_(0.6) alloys, a change in diameter from 6 nmto about 10 nm was observed due to the addition of the PbS materials.

In addition to the methods of forming alloys, the present invention isalso directed to core/shell synthesis, for example, methods forproducing core/shell nanowires comprising a PbSe core and a PbS shellare contemplated. Referring to FIG. 9, the shell synthesis is based onthe Successive Ion Layer Adsorption and Reaction (SILAR) approach, anapproach for growing shells over core materials with nanoscaledimensions. In the SILAR approach, growth of the shell is designed togrow one monolayer at a time by alternating the addition of cationic (Pbprecursor solution) and anionic (S precursor solution) precursors into acore/shell growth solution comprising PbSe nanowires. The core/shellgrowth solution may also comprise solvents such as tri-octyl phosphine(TOP) and diphenyl ether (DPE). In accordance with the methods, Pbprecursor solution is added to the core/shell growth solution Like theabove methods of forming the alloy, the Pb precursor solution maycomprise a lead oleate complex. Subsequently, an S precursor solution(e.g., S in a TOP solution) is added to the core/shell growth solutionwhich contains the PbSe nanowires and Pb precursor solution. Then, thecore/shell growth solution is heated to a temperature sufficient toproduce the PbS shell. In one embodiment, the PbS shell can be producedby heating the core/shell growth solution to a temperature of about 130°C. By using lower heating temperatures than the methods of forming thealloys described above, the amount of diffusion between core and shellis minimized and the core/shell configuration is thereby maintained. Infurther embodiments, the addition of Pb and S precursor solution may berepeated multiple to increase the thickness of the PbS shell. Othertreatment steps are contemplated herein.

In an experimental example, the synthesis of PbSe/PbS core/shellnanowires was carried out by slowly adding 0.3 ml of a Pb precursorsolution and 0.1 ml of an S precursor solution (0.063 g/2 ml TOP) to acore/shell growth solution comprising PbSe nanowires. The Pb precursorsolution is added first and then the S precursor solution is added at arate of 0.3 ml/min after a waiting time of three minutes. In addition toPbSe nanowires, the core/shell growth solution contained 2 ml of DPE and2 ml of TOP and was purified by heating to 200° C. for 25 minutes. Afteraddition of the Pb and S precursors, the solution was reheated to 130°C. The PbSe/PbS core/shell nanowire product, as shown in FIG. 2B, had athickness of about 11 nm. The inventors recognize that the thickness ofthe shell, and thereby the thickness of the nanowire may be adjusted bymodifying the concentration of the precursors.

FIG. 6 is an XRD spectrum of core/shell nanowire manufactured pursuantthe forgoing example. As shown, two sets of peaks are identified in theXRD pattern thus indicating the existence of two different crystalstructures (i.e., the PbSe and PbS crystal structures). The XRDmeasurement was carried out after purifying the sample and extractingthe PbSe/PbS core/shell nanowires. The sample was washed and purified bysize selective precipitation (PbS nanocrystals were formed in the shellgrowth).

Furthermore, the methods of the present invention are also directed toproducing core/shell nanowires comprising a PbSe core and a PbTe shell.Referring to FIG. 10, the synthesis of the PbSe/PbTe core/shellmaterials is essentially a two-step synthesis, wherein the PbSenanowires were prepared first and the shell was grown in a second stage.The PbSe nanowire core may be prepared according to the synthesis methoddescribed above and as shown in FIG. 7. To prepare the PbTe shell, a Pbprecursor solution is prepared and then a Te precursor is added to thePb precursor to produce a PbTe solution. Similar to above, the Pbprecursor solution may comprise a lead oleate complex, and the Teprecursor may comprise Te and TOP. The Te precursor may be addeddropwise, or in low concentration to prevent self-nucleation i.e. theformation of PbTe nanocrystals instead of a PbTe shell. As describedbelow, self-nucleation is a more significant problem for PbSe nanowiresof greater surface area.

After forming the PbTe solution, the PbTe solution is added to acore/shell growth solution comprising PbSe nanowires in order to formPbTe shells over the PbSe nanowires. The core/shell growth solution maybe heated to a temperature above 150° C., or specifically about 190° C.Like the above methods, the core/shell growth solution may comprise TOPand DPE.

In an experimental example, the growth of the shell was carried out byaddition of 0.07 mg of Pb (the same Pb precursor solution used for thealloy) and 0.063 g of Te in 2 ml TOP. The Pb solution was dried byheating to 140° C. for 10 minutes, and then cooled. After cooling toroom temperature, the Te solution was added dropwise. This PbTe solutionwas then slowly added to the core/shell growth solution (at 190° C.),which contained 2 ml of TOP, 2 ml of DPE and 20 mg of PbSe nanowires.After adding all of the precursors, the reaction was annealed at 130° C.for another 7 minutes before cooling to room temperature. To separatethe product, 2 ml of toluene and 2 ml of ethanol were added to thesolution, which was then centrifuged for 5 minutes.

The experimental example above produced a PbSe/PbTe core/shell nanowireas shown in FIG. 3. The PbSe/PbTe core/shell nanowire comprised a finalthickness of 40 nm, whereas the thickness prior to the addition of thePbTe shell coating is ˜8 nm. The shell thickness may be adjusted bychanging the concentrations of the Pb and Te precursor solutions.Consequently, the PbTe shell may comprise a thickness of about 5 toabout 30 nm, and the core/shell nanowire may comprise a thickness ofabout 10 to about 45 nm. Shell thickness impacts the physical andoptical properties of the PbSe cores, thus the shell thickness may beoptimized to produce the best nanowire performance.

As discussed above, the coating of the PbTe shell material on the PbSeis carried out at higher temperature compared with the PbS shell. Inspecific examples, the PbS shell is formed in a core/shell growthsolution heated to 130° C., whereas the PbTe shell is formed in acore/shell growth solution heated to 190° C. This is due in part to thehigher lattice mismatch for PbTe (PbTe, 5.5% vs. PbS 3.0%). Due to thishigher lattice mismatch, higher temperatures are required to grow auniform PbTe shell over the PbSe core. The processing steps are alsooptimized to combat unwanted side reactions (e.g., self-nucleation ofthe PbTe). When PbSe nanowires have a large surface area, shellformation may be difficult, due to the possibility of forming clustersand islands of the shell material on the core surface. In the foregoingexperimental example, the inventor minimized potential unwanted clusterformation by annealing the solution for 7 minutes in 130° C. to form auniform and single crystalline shell coating.

For the purposes of describing and defining the present invention it isnoted that the terms “substantially” and “about” are utilized herein torepresent the inherent degree of uncertainty that may be attributed toany quantitative comparison, value, measurement, or otherrepresentation. The terms “substantially” and “about” are also utilizedherein to represent the degree by which a quantitative representationmay vary from a stated reference without resulting in a change in thebasic function of the subject matter at issue.

Having described the invention in detail and by reference to specificembodiments thereof, it will be apparent that modifications andvariations are possible without departing from the scope of theinvention defined in the appended claims. More specifically, althoughsome aspects of the present invention are identified herein andillustrated in the figures, it is contemplated that the presentinvention is not necessarily limited to these aspects of the invention.

1. A method for producing nanowires comprising a PbSe core and a PbSshell comprising the steps of: providing a core/shell growth solutioncomprising PbSe nanowires; heating the core/shell growth solution to atemperature sufficient to produce a PbS shell over the PbSe nanowires;adding a Pb precursor solution to the core/shell growth solution; andadding an S precursor solution to the core/shell growth solution afterthe addition of the Pb precursor to produce nanowires comprising a PbSecore and a PbS shell.
 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the core/shellgrowth solution comprises tri-octyl phosphine (TOP) and diphenyl ether(DPE).
 3. The method of claim 1 wherein the S precursor solutioncomprises S and TOP.
 4. The method of claim 1 wherein the core/shellgrowth solution was heated to a temperature of about 130° C.
 5. Themethod of claim 1 further comprising heating the core/shell growthsolution after the addition of the PbSe nanowires to a temperature ofabout 130° C.
 6. The method of claim 1 wherein the nanowire comprising aPbSe core and a PbS shell comprise a thickness of about 11 nm.
 7. A PbSecore/PbS shell nanowire produced by the method of claim
 1. 8. A methodfor producing nanowires comprising a PbSe core and a PbTe shellcomprising the steps of: providing a Pb precursor solution; adding a Teprecursor solution to the Pb precursor solution to produce a PbTesolution; providing a core/shell growth solution heated to a temperatureof about 150° C., wherein the core/shell growth solution comprises PbSenanowires; and adding the PbTe solution to the core/shell growthsolution to form nanowires comprising a PbSe core and a PbTe shell. 9.The method of claim 8 further comprising the step of reheating thecore/shell growth solution after the addition of the PbTe solution to atemperature of about 130° C.
 10. The method of claim 8 furthercomprising isolating the PbSe/PbTe core/shell nanowires from thecore/shell growth solution by centrifugation in the presence of tolueneor ethanol.
 11. The method of claim 8 wherein the core/shell growthsolution is heated to a temperature of about 190° C. prior to theaddition of the PbTe solution.
 12. The method of claim 8 wherein the Teprecursor comprises Te and TOP.
 13. The method of claim 8 wherein the Teprecursor is added dropwise to the Pb precursor solution.
 14. The methodof claim 8 wherein the core/shell growth solution comprises TOP and DPE.15. The method of claim 8 wherein the PbTe shell comprises a thicknessof about 5 to about 30 nm.
 16. The method of claim 8 wherein thenanowire comprising the PbSe core and PbTe shell comprises a thicknessof about 10 to about 45 nm.
 17. A PbSe core/PbTe shell nanowire producedby the method of claim 1